Microplastics are tiny invisible plastic pieces that are piling up in the marine environment emerging as one of the many environmental issues which our planet is facing today. Researches for the removal of these particles are important because studies that have been made so far haven't come up with an effective solution. This project aimed to detect microplastics and remove them from aqueous environments with an effective and practical method then it was aimed to determine the removal amount of microplastics by optical measurements with the developed system. Firstly, the magnetic carbonanotubes (m-CNT) which is intended to hold onto the surfaces of microplastics was synthesized and added to the mixture of microplastics. Then the magnet within a glass tube was passed through the mixture and the sample was cleared of microplastics. A spectrometer was made to monitor this process and after its calibration, it was used to measure coffees with different concentrations. It has been shown that their concentrations can be determined by calculating the transmission values and Rayleigh scattering. In the end, it has shown that there are no micro or nano-sized plastic particles when removed with M-CNT, within the accountable range of the spectrometer that had been made. Hence the removal of the microplastics: an invisible threat for the environment has been studied by combining nanomaterials with unique surface properties in the removal process and an optical principle such as Rayleigh scattering, a new technique has been developed that can measure quickly, economically,

The use of brine shrimp nauplii to test for the overall toxicity of sediment samples is proposed. Brine shrimp nauplii were cultured with different concentrations of heavy metals, including chromium (III), copper (II), nickel, lead and zinc, and organic pollutants, including triclosan, oxybenzone, octinoxate and bisphenol A. The brine shrimp nauplii were observed under a dissection microscope to determine the death rate. Results showed that brine shrimp nauplii are more sensitive to copper, cadmium, bisphenol A and oxybenzone. The LC50 (24h) are 55.5, 24.9, 5.6 and 2.7 ppm respectively. Zinc is likely to have synergistic toxic effect with nickel or lead. The synergistic toxic effects of other heavy metals and organic pollutants should be confirmed with further investigations. Brine shrimp nauplii were treated with extracts from sediment samples collected from the oyster culture zone of the Deep Bay, namely Pak Nei, Sha Kiu Tsuen and Hang Hau Tsuen. The sediment samples were extracted with neutral sodium acetate to dissolve the exchangeable heavy metal ions and some organic pollutants. The death rate of brine shrimp nauplii treated with the sediment extract of Hang Hau Tsuen was similar to 1 ppm PBA. It was also about 10 to 20% higher than that of the other two sites (Pak Nei and Sha Kiu Tsuen). Since Hang Hau Tsuen is closer to the residential area and Lau Fau Shan Seafood Market than the other two sites, its sediment sample is likely to have a higher level of environmental pollutants. The results suggest that brine shrimp nauplii may be used as a biomarker to monitor the environmental changes in the overall level of pollutants in sediment samples.

Microplastics are tiny invisible plastic pieces that are piling up in the marine environment emerging as one of the many environmental issues which our planet is facing today. Researches for the removal of these particles are important because studies that have been made so far haven't come up with an effective solution. This project aimed to detect microplastics and remove them from aqueous environments with an effective and practical method then it was aimed to determine the removal amount of microplastics by optical measurements with the developed system. Firstly, the magnetic carbonanotubes (m-CNT) which is intended to hold onto the surfaces of microplastics was synthesized and added to the mixture of microplastics. Then the magnet within a glass tube was passed through the mixture and the sample was cleared of microplastics. A spectrometer was made to monitor this process and after its calibration, it was used to measure coffees with different concentrations. It has been shown that their concentrations can be determined by calculating the transmission values and Rayleigh scattering. In the end, it has shown that there are no micro or nano-sized plastic particles when removed with M-CNT, within the accountable range of the spectrometer that had been made. Hence the removal of the microplastics: an invisible threat for the environment has been studied by combining nanomaterials with unique surface properties in the removal process and an optical principle such as Rayleigh scattering, a new technique has been developed that can measure quickly, economically,

Commercially available bandages such as hydrocolloid are neither biodegradable nor anti-bacterial. Chitin is known to be the second most naturally available polysaccharide which could be transformed to chitosan which is known to be anti-bacterial (Hasan, 2018) (Chao, 2019) and haemostatic (Okamoto, 2003) (Hu, 2018). Chitosan can be further converted to hydrogel which is bio-degradable and has good water absorbance. Anti-bacterial crab bio-bandages and crab bio-dressings should be bio-degradable as it took 42 days and a month for complete bio-degradation respectively, so they should be better than commercial bandages such as Nexcare Hydrocolloid as the disposal of anti-bacterial crab bio-bandages with bio-dressings would no longer pose burden to landfilling or threat to our environment. Anti-bacterial crab bio-bandages with bio-dressings are anti-bacterial with degree of deacetylation of DD% (measured using FTIR Spectrum II) 82.6% (due to the presence of chitosan) even without the application of other anti-bacterial agents and hence can provide complete protection of wounds from skin and soft tissues infections and haemostatic (due to the presence of chitosan). After testing and certification based on IS997:2004 and BS EN 13726-1, they should meet many requirements specified. Anti-bacterial crab bio-bandages should be eligible for marketing. Some results were as follows: 1.4 Anti-bacterial effect of crab hydrogels and roasted crab hydrogels Pure chitosan, crab chitosan, crab hydrogels and roasted crab hydrogels showed significant anti-bacterial effect. NO oral bacterial colonies were present in drinking water with crab hydrogels. Thus crab hydrogels could serve as effective anti-bacterial wound dressings. 1.6 Basing on IS997:2004 standard, the load per unit of area of anti-bacterial bio-bandages was 342g/m2 which met the minimum requirement of 36g/m2, the anti-bacterial bio-bandages had stronger tension strength (>20N both in dry and wet conditions) than commercial hydrocolloid. (2.7N dry 2.8N wet) which was comparable with that required (50-67N) and pH of about 7 which met the pH range of 4.5-8. 1.7 The FSA Free-Swell Absorbency of synthetic blood of crab hydrogel bio-dressings was 1.86g per 5cm x 5cm dressing which was much higher than that of commercial hydrocolloid (0.299g per 5cm x 5cm dressing) based on BS EN 13726-1.

Due to having Asperger's syndrome, I want to make a pressure vest suitable for hot and humid climates like Asia to help reduce the daily anxiety of children and adults with autism, ADHD, sensory disorders, etc. To solve this problem, I first tried using a porous material. But after seeing a pressure vest in person, I found it to be useless. Therefore, I came up with the idea of creating an active airflow cooling system between the body and the pressure vest. To experiment, I wanted to make pressure vests. However, I found that a high-frequency TPU welding machine is required. Thus, I made models of pressure vests using airbags, water-resistant nylon, and quick-drying fabric. I also made models, which came from sandwich fabric. Through this research, I discovered that the sandwich fabric design has the best passive heat dissipation, and the combination of the sandwich fabric and the active airflow cooling system has the best active heat dissipation.

Inhibitory effects of the secondary metabolite of actinomycete were examined on cell cycle of the yeasts of S. pombe and S. cerevisiae. The secondary metabolite was obtained from cultivation of the actinomycete isolated from the soil of Owakudani in Hakone, Japan. The fifth fraction of the secondary metabolite by ODS column separation (HK-T5), which was soluble to pure methanol, was used in the present experiments. The HK-T5 brought about the delay of forming colonies of S. pombe for about 11 days compared to that cultivated without the HK-T5. The delay of the colony formation was longer for the S. pombe cultivated with more amount of the HK-T5. The cultivation with HK-T5 also brought about the extension of the lifespan of the S. pombe for more than 10 weeks in a liquidus medium. The cell life recovered the ordinary manner by removal of the HK-T5, meaning that the activities of the HK-T5 is reversible. These facts confirm the suppression of cell cycle, and the delay of cell growth by the HK-T5. These phenomena were similarly observed for S. cerevisiae. Comparison of the action of HK-T5 with hydroxyurea, which is an anticancer drug inhibiting the cell cycle at S phase, clarified that the inhibitory action of HK-T5 worked at the phase earlier than S phase. The combined effects of HK-T5 on the cell cycle were evaluated with triamcinolone acetonide (TA), or aspirin, the former of which is a drug synchronizing cancer cells in S phase, and the latter keeping human cells in G1/G0 phases. The combined use of HK-T5 with TA synchronized the cells at the phase slightly proceeding from G1 to S phase without toxicity. On the other hand, the combined use with aspirin made the inhibitory effect of HK-T5 inactive. Hence, the HK-T5 is attractive as a drug for the extension of cell lifespan, and anticancer therapy.

本次研究主要探討中型及長圓金蛛蛛網隱帶的結構不同，所造成的振動模式差異。蜘蛛網面的結構會直接影響到蛛網結構的振動方式，以及能量散布的情形。為了了解蜘蛛網有無隱帶結構對於獵物衝擊網面的影響，使用釣魚線及蠶絲進行模擬蛛網。實驗結果顯示，不論長圓或是中型金蛛其隱帶的長度與體長成正相關。金蛛隱帶的長度與環境溫度、照度和風速的相關性不高。而在複式顯微鏡下發現金蛛隱帶的構造有疏密之分。仿生金蛛網不論是何種類型隱帶，皆無法減少受模擬風吹吹拂網面的振幅，僅有蠶絲密十字型隱帶能夠有效減少受模擬獵物撞擊網面的振幅。此外，蠶絲仿生網的振動幅度較釣魚線小，穩固性較佳。

近年河川或海上塑膠垃圾與油汙對環境造成傷害，解決環境污染備受重視。近期荷蘭用-大氣泡屏障，成功將塑膠垃圾阻攔，因此我們興起了「尋找最佳氣泡牆模型」。本研究目的為：分析「氣泡牆形狀、氣泡間隔以及氣泡大小」是否影響攔阻效果。結果發現：1.凹向水源300弧線氣泡牆攔阻效果最佳；2.氣泡越小間距越小，攔阻效果越好，此與荷蘭研究員論點相呼應；3.相較於形狀固定的塑膠垃圾，形狀會變的油汙較難攔阻；4.具厚度氣泡牆，攔阻效果更勝多道獨立的氣泡牆；5.「緊鄰的兩道300弧線氣泡牆」的攔阻效果是目前我們所做的模型中效果最好的。因此我們建議，未來在實際運用氣泡牆攔阻汙染源時，可採用此模式解決環境污染問題。

Harmful microorganisms in food can cause deterioration of human health, poisoning and in some cases even death. Especially fresh meat and chicken products create a suitable environment for the growth of microorganisms in terms of the nutrients it contains, water activity and pH level. For this reason, detection of microorganisms in meat products is an important issue in terms of food safety and human health. In this project, it is aimed to detect live microorganisms in meat products, especially chicken meat, in a simple, non-destructive, non-contact and fast way using laser speckle method. Laser speckle images of healthy and stale chicken meat were taken, contrast parameter and correlation analysis of the obtained patterns were made. It was observed that the contrast parameter for staled chicken meat increased by approximately 3 times compared to fresh chicken. This increase provides an understanding of the difference between contaminated chicken and fresh chicken. Speckle density changes over time in relation to the movements of living microorganisms. Thus, the correlation in laser speckle density patterns taken from contaminated tissues is disrupted. In the measurements taken with photodiode, by analyzing the change of light intensity of the speckle patterns on fresh and contaminated tissues over time, the detection of microorganisms was made easier and more precisely without the need for image processing. The proposed measurement system is a new method that detects meat contamination with laser speckle imaging. It can be developed and made portable and can be used easily in homes. Since it is a simple, non-destructive and fast method, it can be used to determine the shelf life of meat in food distribution places and markets. In addition, it has the potential to be calibrated and used for other food products other than meat products. The system developed with this study is cheap and easy to use, and the laser speckle imaging method is used in a different field other than biomedical, contributing to the literature.

This research work is devoted to the stages of development and creation of a prototype of a laser 3D scanner model, programming of a controlling microcontroller, construction of 3D models of a scanned object. In the course of the work, the market of 3D scanners, which are used to build three-dimensional models of premises, was analyzed, the equipment necessary for the development and creation of the prototype was analyzed, as well as the software necessary for the operation of the prototype. The result of the work was the creation of a laser 3D scanner based on an Arduino microcontroller using a Lidar type sensor that scans and builds 3D models of objects. This working model of the 3D scanner demonstrates good capabilities and turned out to be easy to use.

In this project, we evaluate the effectiveness of Random Shuffling in the Cross Lingual Information Retrieval (CLIR) process. We extended the monolingual Word2Vec model to a multilingual one via the random shuffling process. We then evaluate the cross-lingual word embeddings (CLE) in terms of retrieving parallel sentences, whereby the query sentence is in a source language and the parallel sentence is in some targeted language. Our experiments on three language pairs showed that models trained on a randomly shuffled dataset outperforms randomly initialized word embeddings substantially despite its simplicity. We also explored Smart Shuffling, a more sophisticated CLIR technique which makes use of word alignment and bilingual dictionaries to guide the shuffling process, making preliminary comparisons between the two. Due to the complexity of the implementation and unavailability of open source codes, we defer experimental comparisons to future work.

溫熱化學治療(Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, 簡稱HIPEC)，為將化療藥物加熱後灌注到腹腔內殺死癌細胞，但溫熱化學治療只能在開刀時使用，治療次數有限。為達到多次的熱化療效果，本研究開發奈米氧化鐵藥物磁性複合微粒(Nano iron oxide magnetic drug complex particles, NIOMP)，可利用開刀時包覆複合微粒於腹腔，術後用磁場加熱，加上微粒化療藥物釋放，達到多次溫熱化學治療。NIOMP以鐵氧化物奈米粒子為核心，海藻酸鈉為外殼體，利用電紡法將前其與氯化鈣交聯產生凝聚性微粒。數據顯示最佳製作條件為16 kv高電壓、距離4 cm、噴速5μm/s，可得直徑大小約為200~450 μm穩定性高微粒。藥物釋放實驗顯示，NIOMP於2~7小時藥物釋放速率較穩定。利用可變磁場之電磁效應加熱NIOMP中氧化鐵磁顆粒，可於30分鐘內快速升溫至43℃。細胞相容性測試結果得知，NIOMP對細胞無毒性。本研究改善HIPEC的治療限制，可多次針對腫瘤患部局部熱化學治療，未來將可改善病人存活率。